An Artist turns Tragedy to Thankfulness

RICHMOND, Va. - Jan. 28, 2021 - PRLog -- Sandhi Schimmel Gold opened a small, colorful art gallery. It seemed like a promising time and place for the Midlothian-based fine artist to showcase her colorful, upcycled art work, and the work of over 20 different artists.

Eclectica! Art Gallery, in historic Sycamore Square  has been transformed into an explosion of color and textures. It features fine art, craft, fiber art, glass, sculptures, mosaics, furniture and more. Everything either created by or curated by Sandhi Schimmel Gold.

Schimmel Gold is the original "green" fine artist who developed a technique to utilize paper that would otherwise go into landfills. She has been upcycling junk mail to create portraits, landscapes and abstract art for over 25 years.

The artist hand cuts junk mail, postcards, greeting cards, packaging, calendars, etc. into small paper "tiles," that are affixed to her original paintings. Her work is in the private collection of celebrities, in private homes throughout the world, in corporate headquarters and museums. Sandhi has been featured in the media as diverse as magazines, PBS and Access Hollywood.

When the gallery was about to open its first national juried show, Vernal Equinox, Governor Northam shut down the state due to Covid-19. The show was cancelled and the gallery was closed for 2 months.

In August, Sandhi received a diagnosis of breast cancer. After surgery, Sandhi closed the gallery as she underwent chemotherapy. The first treatment landed her in the ICU. Without the dedication of a huge group of doctors and nurses, she might not be alive today.

This terrible situation gave the artist an opportunity to rethink her purpose. Sandhi is a prolific creator. Not only in paint and paper, but also as a 3-D artist, making mosaics, fiber art, and more. She creates art to give pleasure to others. In the past, the artist has donated original work to nonprofit organizations, including a portrait of Rosa Parks she donated to Girls for a Change.

The artist is now offering a free print of her work to all local hospital workers -- from the nurses and doctors to the janitors and techs and administrators and kitchen staff. Prints are valued at $25 each, and there are many images from choose from.

Sandhi is offering cancer survivors a 50% discount on ANY artwork that features the color pink.

Local museums and nonprofit organizations are invited to the gallery to view Sandhi's original art for potential donation.

Although Sandhi will continue to create art in the gallery's studio space for now, she plans on closing at the end of March.

Visitors are asked to make an appointment online and please wear a mask.